Question

Assertion (A): Urbanization leads to growth of secondary relationships.
Reason (R): Urban life is generally more formal and impersonal.

• A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
• B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
• C. A is true, but R is false.
• D. A is false, but R is true.

Hint:

To solve Assertion-Reason questions, read the assertion, add the word "BECAUSE" at the end, and then read the reason.
If the combined sentence makes logical sense, then R is the correct explanation of A.
"Urbanization leads to the growth of secondary relationships BECAUSE urban life is generally more formal and impersonal." This is perfectly logical.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This is an Assertion-Reason style question requiring us to evaluate two statements about urbanization.
We must determine if both statements are individually true, and if the Reason (R) provides the correct logical explanation for the Assertion (A).

Step 2: Key Approach:
The theoretical framework for analyzing urban life is based on classical urban sociology, notably Louis Wirth's concept of "Urbanism as a Way of Life."
It is also rooted in Ferdinand Tönnies' distinction between close-knit community (Gemeinschaft) and formal association (Gesellschaft).

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

• Evaluating Assertion (A): Urbanization is the process of population shift from rural to urban areas, leading to dense, heterogeneous, and large settlements.

• Primary vs. Secondary Relations: In rural societies, primary relations (intimate, informal, face-to-face, emotional) dominate.

• Growth of Secondary Relations: In urban areas, because of the sheer scale and diversity, relationships become secondary (formal, transactional, specialized, contractual). Thus, Assertion (A) is completely true.

• Evaluating Reason (R): Urban settings are characterized by a high division of labor, anonymity, and institutionalized interactions.

• Impersonal Nature: People interact based on social roles (e.g., bus driver and passenger, customer and cashier) rather than personal identities. This makes urban life formal and impersonal. Thus, Reason (R) is also completely true.

• Checking the Link: Why does urbanization lead to the growth of secondary relationships? It does so precisely because the structural conditions of urban life make personal interactions impossible for every transaction, necessitating formal and impersonal relations. Hence, R is the correct explanation of A.

Step 4: Final Answer:
Since both statements are true and R is the correct explanation of A, the correct option is (A).